The mayor of Hamilton has reached out to local businesses, urging them to be cautious of an anti-immigration group promoting a conference in the area. Andrea Horwath emphasized the importance of venues having clear information about the organization and event’s purpose before deciding to host it. Hamilton, known for its diversity, stands for values like inclusion and respect, opposing the Dominion Society of Canada’s advocacy for “remigration,” the deportation of immigrants back to their home countries.
Various Hamilton groups, including the Hamilton Anti-Racism Resource Centre (HARRC) and Hamilton Centre for Civic Inclusion, penned an open letter on August 4, advising businesses against renting space to Dominion Society. They called on elected officials to denounce the group and ensure their policies do not contribute to the rise of scapegoating immigrants and racialized communities in Hamilton. HARRC also released a guide to help venues avoid inadvertently renting to hate-promoting groups.
The Dominion Society’s website, a self-proclaimed nationalist group, promotes the great replacement conspiracy theory, claiming white people are being replaced by racialized individuals. The group advocates for mass deportation, including temporary foreign workers, permanent residents, and even Canadian-born individuals without Canadian citizenship. Barbara Perry from Ontario Tech University’s Centre on Hate, Bias, and Extremism labeled Dominion Society’s arguments as inherently racist and xenophobic, attributing the country’s issues to immigrants.
While Dominion Society denies being a hate group and describes itself as an advocacy organization focusing on immigration reform, Mayor Horwath emphasized the importance for venues to understand the group’s mandate and event nature before considering any bookings tied to the organization. The exact number of businesses receiving the mayor’s letter remains unclear, but Horwath stated that the city will not rent out its facilities to Dominion Society, with bylaw staff monitoring related event materials on public property.
Hamilton police are devising a plan to address any risks, disruptions, or criminal activities associated with DomCon 2026. Acknowledging community concerns over the event’s promotion causing fear and uncertainty, police spokesperson Jackie Penman assured that they would maintain a visible presence and take lawful enforcement actions where necessary. The police urge individuals facing threats, harassment, or hate-motivated actions to report them, while HARRC provides a community tool for reporting hate incidents.
